Farewell! AAI employee Shawn Olson says goodbye...

After almost three years of working at the American Alpine Institute, I am sad to say that I am leaving. It’s been an amazing experience working here – the people are the coolest of any job I’m sure I’ll ever have. The job itself, it goes without saying, is also cool – what better way to spend all day than talking about mountains? I will surely miss this place, but it is time to move on, time to pursue my “professional” interests. I have taken a job at a local communications company called Baron and Co, where I’ll be working as a copywriter and media planner. I am excited for this next step in my life and am glad to know that AAI will be just around the corner in historic Fairhaven. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, once you get yourself wedged into the AAI circle, there’s no going back...

Here are some random picture memories from the years' past that make me smile:

When Gunther (Natasha's cat) came to visit AAI:


Hanging out in Red Rock with Niki and Zephyr:

Richard and Greg, always the jokers:


Hanging out in a crevasse, on my first AAI course ("um, guys? it's kinda cold down here...":


Climbing Mt. Ruth with Aura on a fantastic day with a killer view:


Climbing the North Twin with Andrew and making the horrible mistake of descending down the east gully...don't try it.


Before I went to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro, Andy gave me a very serious lesson in satellite phone usage:


And Natasha almost didn't let me go (literally):


Here is a random picture of Coley partaking in his "other" hobby, because believe it or not in the three years I've worked here I've never snapped a picture of Coley Gentzel.


The "Huckers" after Ski to Sea, aka: friends I would not have met if it weren't for AAI (I feel sooo lucky to know you girls!):


The ladies of AAI, summer '07:


Just finishing up a flight tour of the North Cascades - doing "research" for one of AAI's programs...


Dunham got to go too:


My parting shot....


I'll miss you all! And for those of you who I helped register and prepare for your programs, don't worry - Andy, Coley, Natasha, and (our newest) Ruth will all take great care of you.